New foundation in as Library remains open
Weekly Activities
Preschool Story Hour starts at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 21.
Knitting & Needlecraft group meets Wed, 6:30 p.m.
Final Budget Hearing on Tuesday, September 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Also on Tuesday the regular monthly Board meeting will follow the Budget Hearing
Upcoming Activities
On Sept. 29, a computer question & answer is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. The class is devoted to specific topics that are raised. When you pre-register, please also include a question you’d like to raise so that any needed research or information is gathered before the session starts.
On Oct. 1, Bay Oaks Rec Center sponsors a community party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free, hamburgers & hotdogs are without charge, and entertainment is available. We will have an info booth and look forward to celebrating with Bay Oaks staff and community.
Construction
The foundation for the expansion went into place this week. It is exciting to see this happen as plans have been in the making for years. Staff appreciates the comments we’ve heard in the past few weeks about how satisfied and looking forward many are for this expansion. Walls should be going up in a week!
We have found library users adjusting well to the noise from construction. It gives me confidence to see how well this adjustment is going, and also confirms that the project is one looked forward to. I am currently reviewing details as to how we move into the expansion and where everything we will go. Our hope is to move into the expansion in March/April 2012 without having to do a major shuffle after the updating of the current library is complete. That updating will take between three and five months and then we’ll be one united building starting in August/September 2012.
The expanded library will be a treasure in our community. It will, as many public libraries growing importance is being experienced across the USA, prove a catalyst not just to literacy and reading but also to social and civic engagement. The Library Commons will enable conversation, Wi-Fi access, visiting the Friend’s bookstore, do any copying one needs in the Copy Center, and the Community Room will facilitate a variety of seminars, presentations and classes. As we move closer to grand opening, more specifics will be shared.
One visitor last week told us about his family’s participation in Chicago’s new Daley Library on West Humboldt Park along Kedzie Avenue. Highlighted by one of residents who said “Libraries have become community centers for adults and children, and in a society with dwindling community resources, they’ve become even more valuable.” I think many understand.
Sew, You’re a Knitter
Fabric arts continue to generate interest in crafts. Publishing has noted the recent upswing in sewing, crochet and the ever-popular knitting. Added to the collection are “101 Designer One-Skein Wonders” (746.432 ONE), “KnitWit: 20 fun projects” (746.432 BOY), “Crochet for the Fun of It” (746.434 PON), “Carry Alongs” (746.434 SUL) and “Start Quilting with Alex Anderson” (746.46 AND).
Library Hours
Don’t remember library hours? When we are closed, a recorder gives the hours on 765-8162 or on 765-8163. Except for holidays, we are open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 to 5; and Saturday 9-1. We look forward to seeing you.